NEWS DESK
Better access ‘underway’ By Liz Bell MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire says it is investigating ways of improving disability access and has now rolled out wheelchair-friendly beach matting at Mount Martha and Sorrento. The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said improving disability access to shire beaches was the focus of January, with beach matting also being rolled out later this month at Mothers Beach, Mornington, and next to the piers at Rosebud and Rye. But disability advocates say there is a “fundamental accessibility problem in the region” and more needs to be done. One parent whose three-year-old who uses a wheelchair said the shire had been slow to act on requests from residents for improvements in children’s recreational areas. Justin Andrews said parents were frustrated and disappointed “by the lack of respect and urgency” relating to solving accessibility issues throughout the peninsula. He said he had contacted council several times about the lack of other access infrastructure, including high backed swings at playgrounds and playgrounds with wheelchair-friendly surfaces instead of mulch and was told these were being “reviewed”. Cr Marsh said ensuring access and inclusion for all was a priority of the new council’s new wellbeing plan. “We've developed a draft universal design policy to ensure we deliver inclusive and equitable spaces and services for everyone in our community,” he said.
WHEELCHAIR-friendly beach matting used by the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula branch is the same as that being rolled out by Mornington Peninsula Shire. The DSAMP is scheduled to hold its next surf event at Point Leo on 22 January. Picture: Keith Platt
“Universal design is making products, environments, programs, and services equally accessible and usable for everyone. This could involve things like widening footpaths and removing steps from building entrances, as well as installing larger bathrooms and accessible playground equipment.” Last year an onsite assessment was undertaken on making Campbell Reserve and Memorial Park playgrounds more accessible, and a high back swing was ordered for Mount Martha
Eco Park. However a timeframe for the installation has yet to finalised. Cr Marsh said the council wanted to hear from the public“to help us better understand what needs to be done” before finalising the universal design policy. Forms are available at customer service centres and at mornpen.vic. gov.au/universaldesign. Cr Marsh said staff would be dropping into local markets, shops and beaches seeking feedback.
Prepare yourself this summer.
Trifecta’s 100 years of happiness BALNARRING resident Valda Angus says there is no secret to her longevity: It is simply a lucky trifecta of a positive attitude, a happy marriage of seven decades, and having “the best daughter in the world”. Ms Angus, 100, now lives with her daughter Gayle Anderson, but for 69 years lived with her husband Victor in Frankston, after buying a block of land after the war and building their home. Their marriage was a love story that started after a trip to the old Frankston carnival and then a meeting at the Frankston railway gates, where they were instantly smitten with each other. As was often the case back in the early 20th century, Ms Angus never worked or had a driver’s licence and stayed home to raise their daughter. Gayle Anderson says her parents lived a “happy, working class life”, and while they didn’t have much in the way of wealth, they wanted for nothing. Although there has been heartache, first when Ms Angus’s father passed away when she was 17, and then when her husband Victor died four years ago, she says she feels “quite blessed” with the life she has had and still “can’t quite believe” she has made it to 100. Her memories are vivid and include stories of caravanning holidays around Australia, Easters in Yarrawonga, and of the materials shortages after the war that delayed her wedding and the building of their home, something Ms Anderson says is a sad parallel to the shortages we are experiencing today because of COVID disruptions to the transport chain. Ms Anderson says her mother’s
VALDA Angus with her daughter Gayle Anderson. Supplied memories of her school days are still tinged with the trauma of being forced to write with her right hand, despite being left handed. Ms Angus says she and her husband loved living in Frankston and had regular outings to the Frankston movie theatre, where she recalls Victor – a truck driver - driving a bunch of movie goers home in the town bus because the driver fell ill. Another time the milkman, who used a horse and cart to deliver the milk, was too drunk to finish his rounds so Victor had to step in and take the reins, quite literally, to get the milk out. Asked about her tips for living a long, heathy life, Ms Angus jokes that her motto is “there’s no dessert in the world that you can’t top with cream” and, in the same spirit, she continues to eat one chocolate every day. Liz Bell
Before heading out to one of Victoria’s beautiful beaches, national parks or camping grounds this summer, let’s stay prepared and safe by planning ahead first. Be ready for more visitors and long waits at busy locations. Know how to keep safe when swimming, hiking, camping or boating so we can safely enjoy the great outdoors together. Remember, if you feel unwell, get tested as quickly as possible and isolate until you get a negative result. For more information go to vic.gov.au/summer-safety
Plan ahead. Be patient. Stay COVIDSafe. vic.gov.au/summer-safety
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Mornington News
11 January 2022